Digital BW, The Print

> Subject: [Digital BW] Soft focus / Posterization


Hi Jeff,

I started with the original Piezography plug-in/inks on a new 1160.  Never
had a problem with posterization anywhere even with "soft" images containing
subtle transitions in the deepest tones.  But I didn't care for the greenish
tone of the Piezo ink and the cost of the inks.  I then switched to the VMs
(changed the carts in my CIS) and the neutral curve was just the tone I was
looking for -- but I saw the same thing you're seeing with your VMs, that
is, posterization with some images that contain shadow detail in the deepest
tones with very graduated changes.  Two months ago I did one last (I hope ;)
switch to the MIS FS-N inks and going back to using the Piezo plug-in.  I'm
happy with the tone and it seems to have the great range of the original
Piezo with a slight compromise in the Dmax ( I get about 1.67 as measured
with my SpectroCam).  The price is also a big plus.  As for longevity, I'm
not a big believer in accelerated fade testing nor is it a great concern for
me but I believe the FS-N inks have held up well in the informal tests some
folks have conducted.  Hope this helps.

			William Garcia